On New Year’s Day, 1943 the Clinch County News announced the marriage of Ruth Boyette and Sergeant Dillard Maurice Markham. She was from Ray City, GA, a daughter of Hattie Mae Dean and Grover Gordon Boyette. She was born September 7, 1920 near Ray City, in that part of Berrien County, GA that two months later would be cut into the newly created Lanier County. Her grandfather, John Boyette, was among those who fought the creation of the new county (Ray City Citizens Fought Creation of Lanier County). Sergeant Markham was a WWII soldier stationed at Moody Air Field near Ray City.

Ruth Boyette and Dillard Markham marriage announcement, 1943.

Clinch County NewsJanuary 1, 1943
Miss Boyette Weds Sgt. Markham

Miss Ruth Boyette of Homerville and Ray City, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Boyette of Ray City, became the bride of Sgt. Dilliard M. Markham of Moody Field, Valdosta, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Markham of Goodes, Va., on December 19 at an impressive ceremony solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Wooten of Homerville. White gladioli and graceful ferns were used for the living room decorations and formed a beautiful background for the ceremony. Rev. L. C. Harvard, Methodist minister, officiated.

The Markhams made their home in Lynchburg, VA where they operated a successful produce business. Ruth Boyette Markham died November 2, 2008. Dillard Markham died March 18, 2010.

The News & Advance November 4, 2008

Ruth Boyette Markham

Ruth Boyette Markham, of Lynchburg, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008. She was the loving wife of Dillard Maurice Markham for 66 years. Mrs. Markham was born in Lanier County, Ga., on Sept. 7, 1920, to the late Grover Gordon Boyette and the late Hattie Mae Dean Boyette. Ruth was devoted to raising her family and helping in the family business, Markham Produce. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Dillard A. Markham of Columbia, S.C.; her daughter, Sally M. Tinsley of Lynchburg; one brother, Hansel Lincoln Boyette and his wife, Connie, of Lakeland, Ga.; and two grandchildren, Robert E. Tinsley III and Whitney S. Tinsley, both of Lynchburg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Boyette Mercier. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503.
Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.

ObituaryDillard Maurice Markham, March 18, 2010

Dillard Maurice Markham passed away Thursday, March 18 at his residence. Born April 2, 1920, in Bedford County, a son of the late Elmor Dove Markham and the late Gracie Markham.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Boyette Markham, his daughter Sally Markham Tinsley, four brothers and three sisters.

In 1949 Mr. Markham opened Markham Wholesale Produce. After 50 years of serving the community he became known as Grand Daddy Markham to all the stores, restaurants, friends in Virginia and all the South Eastern states. He proudly served his country during WWII as a member of the US Air Force. He was loved by all.

Dillard is survived by a son, Dillard A. Markham, Columbia, SC, two grandchildren: Whitney S. Tinsley and Robert E. Tinsley, III, of Lynchburg, a brother, Stuart Markham of Lynchburg, a sister, Dorothy Markham Garrett, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends today from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A funeral service will be held Monday, March 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Keystone Baptist Church with Dr. Monty Fox officiating. Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park with military honors provided by American Legion Post 16.Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Ave. Lynchburg, VA 24503.

The family would like to thank Marva Henderson, who was Dillard’s friend and care giver for four years.